EU agrees on 37.5% CO2 reduction for cars by 2030

(EurActiv, 18 Dec 2018) EU negotiators on Monday evening (17 December) agreed on CO2 emission rules for cars and vans, as the Austrian presidency of the EU defied expectations and brokered a compromise.

But the deal has already been branded as both “insufficient” by green campaigners and “unrealistic” by the car industry.

According to an agreement reached by the European Parliament and the 28 EU member states late last night, CO2 emissions from new cars will have to decrease by 37.5% by 2030 and 31% for vans.

The European Commission had originally proposed a 30% reduction rate for both vehicle types, while Parliament went in search of 40% cuts.

The target will be calculated based on 2021 emission levels, with an intermediary step of 15% CO2 cut for both cars and vans to be reached by 2025.

Commission energy chiefs welcomed the deal. Miguel Arias Cañete called the new benchmarks “ambitious targets” and said “Europe is once again showing how to turn the Paris Agreement and COP24 into action”.

Energy Union boss Maroš Šefčovič called it a “credible step in the implementation of the Paris Agreement but also another decisive step in support of the long-term competitiveness of European industry, as this will spur investment into the EU value chain, including batteries and other key technologies”.

Last night’s agreement draws a line under what have been bumpy talks between negotiators, as clear divisions quickly appeared over how strict the limits should be.

Germany showed its cards first by backing the Commission’s 30% proposal, in what was seen as a clear attempt to protect its massive car sector from disruption. Germany warned tough targets and the drive towards more electric cars could harm its €423 billion auto industry and cost jobs.

But more progressive nations like the Netherlands and France came out fighting for more.

“This is an important signal in our fight against climate change,” said current EU president Austria’s Sustainability Minister Elisabeth Koestinger.